Thread: restoration materials in Europe

The 1.5mm brass rods from microscrews.nl may not be suitable for peening. I've tried about 7 times to make decent shaped heads and everytime the edge of the heads form little tears. Especially the last attempt I was very careful at both ends of the pin and it still happened.

It was my first attempt at peening so I'm not entirely sure it's the material at fault. I will get a new brass rod locally to check.

About brass that seems to "brittle", one trick is to anneal the rod before peening.

Heat it until it's red and quickly put it in water. Softens the brass.